Why You Should Avoid Restaurants with Asbestos

Asbestos is believed to be the one of the factors that leads to the development of mesothelioma in the lungs. The disease, which is a form of lung cancer, impacts the lives of more than 125 million people and is the cause of more than 100,000 deaths annually, based on data collected by the World Health Organization. A person who is not in direct contact with asbestos fibers (found mainly in older buildings, as it was used as a fire suppression material) has a better chance of never contracting mesothelioma than a person who has been exposed.

Reducing the amount of exposure to asbestos is something that you can accomplish for yourself and your family by understanding the risk and ways to avoid the risk. Everyone should understand the danger that exposure to asbestos fibers potentially poses to their health and recognize places where they may find asbestos. Understanding and managing the risk will help you live a healthier life, free of the worry that you may become exposed to the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Why Asbestos Exposure is Dangerous

Mesothelioma is one of the types of lung cancer that affects the health of many Americans. Workers excavating the remains of the North Tower of the World Trade Center after the infamous September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have been identified as a high-risk group for mesothelioma due to their exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Based on the numbers provided by the World Health Organization and other health authorities throughout the world, the more exposure that a person has to asbestos as a leading mesothelioma contributor, the greater the potential that the disease may be contracted.

Where Do I find Asbestos in a Restaurant?

Buildings that were built before 1970 have a higher instance of asbestos as a building material than those buildings built after 1970. It is important to remember, however, that in many instances, unexposed asbestos poses little risk to causing mesothelioma; it is when the fibers become exposed, through wear, demolition, or remodeling, that the potential for exposure can increase. Duct work, exposed water pipes, and other fixtures that may have been covered with an asbestos covering are the areas that you should focus on in a restaurant to determine the potential for risk.

How to Lower the Risk of Asbestos Exposure

If you have a concern that a restaurant that you frequent or a new venue that you are visiting increases your risk of exposure to asbestos, you should contact your local government for information about the building. Learning the age and characteristics of the building material used will provide you with some important insight about the potential and prevalent use of asbestos. If you have any questions as to the amount of asbestos that a building may have, you can choose not to patronize the location.

Although newer building methods have all but eliminated the use of asbestos as a fire retardant, asbestos may still exist as a building material and may still be in use in many communities. Ask to see the building codes for your area, particularly for buildings that have exposed ceilings or other architectural design features that expose pipes and other areas where asbestos would be likely used. The more you know and the better educated you are, the better able you will be to lower your exposure risk.

This article was contributed on behalf of Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., your number one choice when looking for legal professionals who are experts with cases involving asbestos and mesothelioma. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!